Row-end cantilevered beam module support

ABSTRACT

Solar trackers that may be advantageously employed on sloped and/or variable terrain to rotate solar panels to track motion of the sun across the sky include bearing assemblies and other mechanical features configured to address mechanical challenges posed by the sloped and/or variable terrain that might otherwise prevent or complicate use of solar trackers on such terrain.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application63/125,333 titled “Variable Terrain Solar Tracker” filed Dec. 14, 2020.The application is related to U.S. Nonprovisional Patent Application No.__/___,___ titled “Mechanical Stop Assembly” filed on ______ as AttorneyDocket Number NEVA00003 US, to U.S. Nonprovisional Patent ApplicationNo. __/___,___ titled “Integrated Bearing Assembly” filed on ______ asAttorney Docket Number NEVA00004 US, to U.S. Nonprovisional PatentApplication No. __/___,___ titled “Integrated Articulated Bearing ”filed on ______ as Attorney Docket Number NEVA00006 US, to U.S.Nonprovisional Patent Application No. __/___,___ titled “Flexure BearingAssembly ” filed on as Attorney Docket Number NEVA00007 US, to U.S.Nonprovisional Patent Application No. __/___,___ titled “Thrust SurfaceBearing” filed on ______ as Attorney Docket Number NEVA00008 US, to U.S.Nonprovisional Patent Application No. __/___,___ titled “OutboardFlexure Bearing Assembly ” filed on ______ as Attorney Docket NumberNEVA00009 US, and to U.S. Nonprovisional Patent Application No.__/___,___ titled “Module Clip” filed on ______ as Attorney DocketNumber NEVA00010 US. All of the above-mentioned applications areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to solar trackers.

BACKGROUND

Two types of mounting systems are widely used for mounting solar panels.Fixed tilt mounting structures support solar panels in a fixed position.The efficiency with which panels supported in this manner generateelectricity can vary significantly during the course of a day, as thesun moves across the sky and illuminates the fixed panels more or lesseffectively. However, fixed tilt solar panel mounting structures may bemechanically simple and inexpensive, and in ground-mounted installationsmay be arranged relatively easily on sloped and/or uneven terrain.

Single axis tracker solar panel mounting structures allow rotation ofthe panels about an axis to partially track the motion of the sun acrossthe sky. For example, a single axis tracker may be arranged with itsrotation axis oriented generally North-South, so that rotation of thepanels around the axis can track the East-West component of the sun'sdaily motion. Alternatively, a single axis tracker may be arranged withits rotation axis oriented generally East-West, so that rotation of thepanels around the axis can track the North-South component of the sun'sdaily (and seasonal) motion. Solar panels supported by single axistrackers can generate significantly more power than comparable panelsarranged in a fixed position.

A difficulty with conventional single-axis trackers is that ground mountinstallations may require significant grading and a relatively flatparcel of land for the trackers to be easily arranged and operated. Forexample, the distance between a single rotation axis extending overuneven terrain and the ground below would vary along the length of therotation axis, mechanically complicating installation and operation ofthe tracker. Further, for a conventional single axis tracker arranged onsloping land with its rotation axis oriented at an angle to thehorizontal, a single supporting structure (e.g., support post) may berequired to support a force (slope load) that has accumulated along thelength of the rotation axis from the weight of the tracker. For example,the slope load may be entirely born by the post at the lowest end of theaxis, or by the post at the highest end of the axis, or by a centrallylocated slew drive support post. These difficulties with conventionalsingle-axis trackers are particularly disadvantageous in view of theincreased power generation for a single-axis tracker installed on asun-facing slope such as a South-facing slope.

Another difficulty with conventional single-axis trackers is that forcesfrom wind loading can accumulate along the length of the row resultingin high loads within the row structure. Drive systems such as slewingdrives, linear actuators, and other devices can provide a rigidstructure within the row to resist wind loads. However, deploying thesecomponents on tracker rows is expensive, and there is a desire to limitthe deployment of these components to the bare minimum. Therefore, assingle-axis tracker rows increase in length, the wind loads that mayaccumulate along them can become quite high necessitating much strongersteel components to resist the loads.

Another difficulty with conventional single-axis trackers is that theyoften comprise long lengths of steel that must be connected to form thestrongback that the solar modules are mounted on. This connection oftenhappens between bearing assemblies that are themselves mounted on top ofsupport foundations, as well as to the faces of drive assemblies such asslewing drives. The connection point is managed by bringing the ends ofsuccessive torque tubes together after passing them through the bearingson top of foundations, and then aligning them and clamping them togetherwith some type of coupler mechanism, or by bolting one end to the faceof a drive assembly. This process of aligning the torque tubes in thebearings, passing them through, and then connecting them takes multiplesteps that are time consuming, dangerous, and which can require heavylifting equipment.

Another difficulty with conventional single-axis trackers is that theyare designed to accommodate flat sites with little variation along thelength of the torque tube from foundation to foundation.

Another difficulty with conventional single-axis trackers is that theyare designed for finite numbers of modules to be mounted betweenfoundations. This can result in extra superstructure being required toadd as little as one more module if the maximum number of modules isexceeded on the existing structure.

Another difficulty with conventional single-axis trackers is that theirnatural harmonics can be excited by wind. The long torque tubes used inconventional single-axis trackers easily transmit natural harmonicsdriven by wind forces and create difficulty in dampening those forces.Without a method to dampen the natural harmonics, it is possible thatthe trackers may experience runaway conditions as the amplitude of theoscillations at the natural harmonics increase and result in significantdamage to the tracker structure.

A further challenge with many single-axis solar trackers is that theyare very long, comprising many solar modules to spread out the cost ofthe expensive actuators and controls used to rotate each row. Thiscreates challenges on non-sun-facing slopes such as a north-facing slopein the northern hemisphere. On a north-facing slope in the northernhemisphere, a single-axis tracker is at a disadvantage because themodules along its length will be tilted to the north away from the sunfor some, much, or all of the year, which may reduce power generation.

Consequently, there is a need for an improved solar panel mountingstructure that can be installed on flat, sloped and/or uneven terrainand provide for single axis rotation of solar panels.

SUMMARY

Single axis solar trackers presented in this disclosure may beadvantageously employed on flat, sloped and/or variable terrain torotate solar panels to track motion of the sun across the sky. Thesetrackers, and rows or arrays of these trackers, may include bearingassemblies and other mechanical features configured to addressmechanical challenges posed by sloped and/or variable terrain that mightotherwise prevent or complicate use of solar trackers on such terrain.The bearing assemblies and other mechanical features may additionally orinstead address other mechanical challenges arising from use of singleaxis trackers, and/or provide other advantages.

One aspect of the invention provides an integrated articulated bearingassembly incorporating a flexible coupling as described in detail below.

Another aspect of the invention provides an integrated straight bearingassembly as described in detail below.

In some variations, the solar tracker straight and/or articulatingbearing assembly incorporates brackets at either end that are open inthe axial direction of rotation and the vertical direction at somerotation angle of the straight and/or articulating bearing assembly. Insome variations, the solar tracker straight and/or articulating bearingassembly resists rotation due to frictional force exerted on it by itshousing.

Another aspect of the invention provides flexure bearing assemblies. Anarticulated bearing assembly as summarized above and described in moredetail below allows tremendous articulation for changes in angle ofincoming and outgoing torque tubes. However, that level of articulationis not often necessary. An alternative approach is to integrate one ofthe bearing supports with the two support brackets to eliminate thecostly second bearing support. Another alternative approach is tointegrate both bearing supports with the two support brackets, and use astraight shaft, to fit to terrain with little variation. These designsrely on vertical slots in the two support brackets to allow theintegrated bearing support to tilt. The bearing support on the otherside can still articulate to allow a change in the incoming and outgoingangles in the vertical direction, and slots on top of the bearingsupports can still allow the bearing assembly to be installed at anangle to the foundation and to allow a change in incoming and outgoingangle in the plane of the two torque tubes. Both torque tube cradles,and the flexibility built into the rest of the bearing assembly, canallow further articulation to accommodate differences in incoming andoutgoing angles of the associated torque tubes.

Yet another alternative approach to using an articulated bearingassembly is a flexure bearing assembly that uses a flex plate in thecenter of the bearing assembly in place of a Hooke joint, or cardanjoint, or other articulating joint, so that there are no rotatingbearing surfaces within the joint and instead the angular changes arepermitted by flexure of an intermediate plate. That intermediate platemay incorporate various features to reduce stress points along itssurface such as radiused contact plates, overload springs, forcedistributing washers for the fasteners, a combination of these items,and other items obvious to one skilled in the art of material stressanalysis, reduction, and optimization. This design may also include anintegrated bearing support on one side of the bearing assembly to reducethe overall cost and complexity of the product. The coupling devices(e.g., cradles) and other features within the bearing assembly mayprovide additional flexure to allow angular changes between incoming andoutgoing torque tubes.

Another aspect of the invention provides an outboard flexure bearingassembly as described in detail below.

Another aspect of the invention provides a bearing with integratedthrust surfaces and frictional damping as described in detail below.

Another aspect of the invention provides a mechanical stop that canlimit the rotation of a row of single axis trackers at certain tiltangles and provide another point of resistance to reduce the distancealong which wind loading may accumulate. A unique feature of single-axistrackers it that wind loads tend to force them to rotate vertically nomatter which directly the wind is blowing from, and no matter whichdirection the row is tilted. This may create a situation where thedirection of rotation of a single-axis tracker row will rotate can beexpected, and a mechanical stop can be installed on the row to provideadditional rigid points to resist rotation from wind load in thatexpected direction, and thus reduce wind forces accumulating along thestructure. The mechanical stop may comprise a bracket attached to therotation assembly that will contact a support foundation when tilted toa certain angle. That angle may be selected so that when it is achievedby rotating the tracker it results in a physical stop that resistsfurther rotation of the tracker.

Another aspect of the invention integrates a coupling device (e.g., areceiving cradle) for the ends of each torque tube onto the bearingassemblies themselves. This eliminates the need to pass the torque tubesthrough the bearing assemblies, and instead allows them to be droppedinto place with a receiving cradle for the ends of each torque tubeintegrated to the bearing assemblies. This shifts the coupler from beingin between foundations to being “at” each foundation. A sight hole canbe added into the sides of these receiving cradles to visually identifywhere the ends of the torque tube are to facilitate assembly and toensure the torque tube length selected is sufficiently engaged in thecradle to resist the wind load design criteria for the location. Thisreduces the total number of individual assemblies on each tracker row,simplifies the method of installing and securing the torque tubes, andreduces the time necessary to install and align a torque tube. Thisapproach also allows the material in the coupling components to fulfillmultiple roles beyond just that of coupling torque tubes together byalso allowing their surfaces to be used as bearings, or as interfaces tobearings. The end result is fewer assemblies being required to assemblea single-axis tracker resulting in less material, less labor, and loweroverall costs.

Another aspect of the invention breaks the torque tubes into discretesections so that they can be supported by flexible bearing assemblies.This allows the torque tubes to more closely follow the natural terrainand to limit or eliminate the amount of land grading required. A furtherdevelopment of this approach is to build flexibility into what appearsto be a straight bearing assembly. The bearing shaft, and/or thecoupling mechanisms connecting the receiving mechanism to the bearingshaft, and/or the torque tube receiving mechanisms, and/or the clampsthat hold the torque tubes into the receiving mechanisms can allowarticulation of the torque tube through flexibility of the components,and through gaps left in the components to allow movement. In addition,because the torque tube is now not continuous through the bearingassembly, the end of the torque tube can more easily twist and shift inthe receiving mechanism to tilt to a more preferred angle to reach thenext foundation. In total, a bearing assembly that appears to be rigidcan now allow slope changes purely through designing flexibility andplay into the design. A further benefit of this design is that when itis used at the end of a row, a cantilevered beam may be bolted on to theoutgoing side to accommodate one or more extra solar modules withoutrequiring another foundation and bearing assembly.

Another aspect of the invention is to attach a cantilevered beam to theoutboard side of the ultimate bearing assembly (an end bearing assemblyin a row) to accommodate one or more extra solar panel modules withoutrequiring another foundation and bearing assembly.

Another aspect of the invention is to prevent or reduce excitation ofthe natural harmonics of the trackers by wind forces by breaking thetorque tube into smaller discrete sections so that it is more difficultto transfer those natural harmonics along the length of the row forreasons that may include, but are not limited to, rigid bearingassemblies and angle changes through flexible bearings that function asnodes that shorten the wavelengths of the tracker structure to reducethe sensitivity to dynamics excited by wind loading. These nodes alsoreduce the transmission of certain non-rotational dynamic responses sothat those wavelengths cannot travel along the length of the structurecausing damage to the structure. Additionally, friction dampers may beintegrated into bearing assemblies to dampen the harmonics. Othermethods may be used to attenuate the harmonics by creating slip jointsand play in the structure that do not allow perfect transmission of theharmonic waves through the structure.

Another aspect of the invention provides a stepped solar module mountingsystem (module clip) that fastens two module edges at one, or only onemodule edge if at the end of a module mounting structure within thetracker. The stepped module mounting system lifts one end of the moduleto point it more directly towards the sun throughout the day andthroughout the year. For instance, in the northern hemisphere, on atracker mounted on flat land, the stepped module mounting system wouldlift the north end of the module in comparison to the south end of themodule so that the module is tilted to the south for better exposure tothe sun throughout the year. Additional benefits of a tilted modulebracket may include convectional cooling when the module is mostlyhorizontal in the middle of the day by allowing hot air to rise alongthe bottom of the module and spill out of the top part of the module tobe replaced by cooler air being pulled into the lower portion of themodule by the vacuum created by the exiting hot air. Another benefit ofa tilted module is that airflow disruption may result during windyconditions that may break the laminar effects on the top and bottom ofthe module that can cause differential pressures that can force themodules to oscillate around the torque tube, potentially imparting highoverturning forces on the torque tubes. These overturning forces alsoplace high loads on the rest of the structure, and alternatingattachment and detachment of the laminar flow can cause wind dynamicssuch as vortex shedding that can excite natural harmonics in thestructure that can lead to damage. By lifting the edges of the modulesand purposefully disrupting the airflow across the surfaces of the solarmodules, these destructive attaching and detaching flows may beinterrupted over some or all of the tracker row so that the oscillatingforces are reduced in frequency or severity or both. Additionalbracketry and air disrupters may be attached between the modules tofurther aid in detaching laminar flow over the modules.

Another aspect of the invention is integration of coupling devices,necessary for connecting the ends of torque tubes, with rotationalbearing features so that the coupling devices become part of a bearingassembly. This allows the material in the coupling components to fulfillmultiple roles beyond just that of coupling torque tubes together byalso allowing their surfaces to be used as bearings, or as interfaces tobearings. The end result is fewer assemblies being required to assemblea single-axis tracker resulting in less material, less labor, and loweroverall costs.

According to an embodiment of the invention, there is a trackercomprising: a bearing assembly configured for clockwise rotation arounda first axis and counterclockwise rotation around the first axis; animpact surface structure coupled to the bearing assembly and comprisingan impact surface; an impact bracket assembly coupled to the bearingassembly and configured to contact the impact surface of the impactsurface structure to stop at least one of the clockwise rotation of thebearing assembly around the first axis at a first maximum angle ofrotation and the counterclockwise rotation of the bearing assemblyaround the first axis at a second maximum angle of rotation; a solarmodule mounting structure coupled to the bearing assembly and configuredto rotate with the bearing assembly around the first axis; and a solarmodule attached to the solar module mounting structure.

The tracker may have wherein the impact surface structure is afoundation supporting the bearing assembly.

The tracker may have wherein the impact surface of the impact surfacestructure is a bar on the foundation arranged to contact the impactbracket assembly to stop at least one of the clockwise rotation of thebearing assembly around the first axis at a first maximum angle ofrotation and the counterclockwise rotation of the bearing assemblyaround the first axis at a second maximum angle of rotation.

The tracker may have wherein the impact bracket assembly comprises twoplates extending parallel to each other in a first direction andcomprising an attachment end and an opposite end to the attachment end,the two plates attached at the attachment end to the bearing assembly,the impact bracket assembly comprising an impact bar extending in asecond direction perpendicular to the first direction to be between andto connect the opposite ends of the two plates, the impact barconfigured to contact the impact surface of the foundation to stop atleast one of the clockwise rotation of the bearing assembly around thefirst axis at a first maximum angle of rotation and the counterclockwiserotation of the bearing assembly around the first axis at a secondmaximum angle of rotation.

The tracker may have wherein the impact bracket assembly comprises twoplates extending parallel to each other in a first direction and eachcomprising an attachment region at a midpoint and two opposing ends, thetwo plates attached at the attachment region to the bearing assembly,the impact bracket assembly comprising two impact bars extending in asecond direction perpendicular to the first direction to be between andto connect facing ones of the two opposing ends of the two plates toeach other, one of the two impact bars configured to contact the impactsurface of the foundation to stop the clockwise rotation of the bearingassembly around the first axis at a first maximum angle of rotation andan other of the two impact bars configured to contact the impact surfaceof the foundation to stop the counterclockwise rotation of the bearingassembly around the first axis at a second maximum angle of rotation.

The tracker may have wherein the solar module mounting structure is atorque tube.

The tracker may have wherein the torque tube has a rectangular or roundcross-section.

The tracker may have wherein the impact bracket assembly comprisesplates each respectively comprising a hole arranged to accommodate atleast one cable or a cable-supporting bracket.

The tracker may have wherein the bearing assembly comprises a bearingsupport, at least one bearing attached to the bearing support, and ashaft attached to the at least one bearing and extending along the firstaxis.

The tracker may have wherein the bearing support comprises bearing slotsarranged to allow the at least one bearing to move such that the shaftis rotated around a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.

The tracker may have wherein the bearing assembly is a straight bearingassembly and the shaft is a straight bearing shaft, and the at least onebearing is attached to the bearing support and the straight bearingshaft.

The tracker may have wherein the bearing is a flexure bearing assemblycomprising a flexure plate configured to allow flexing of the flexurebearing assembly about a third axis perpendicular to the first axis.

The tracker may have wherein the bearing is an articulated bearingassembly comprising an articulating joint.

According to an embodiment, there is an impact bracket assemblycomprising: a bearing assembly configured to be coupled to an impactsurface structure and configured for clockwise rotation around a firstaxis and counterclockwise rotation around the first axis; two platesextending parallel to each other in a first direction and comprising anattachment end and an opposite end to the attachment end, the two platesattached at the attachment end to the bearing assembly; and an impactbar extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first directionto connect and be between and the opposite ends of the two plates, theimpact bar configured to contact the impact surface structure to stop atleast one of the clockwise rotation of the bearing assembly around thefirst axis at a first maximum angle of rotation and the counterclockwiserotation of the bearing assembly around the first axis at a secondmaximum angle of rotation.

The impact bracket assembly may have wherein the bearing assemblycomprises a bearing support, at least one bearing attached to thebearing support, and a shaft attached to the at least one bearing andextending along the first axis.

The impact bracket assembly may have wherein the bearing supportcomprises bearing slots arranged to allow the at least one bearing tomove such that the shaft is rotated around a second axis perpendicularwith the first axis.

The impact bracket assembly may have wherein the bearing assembly is astraight bearing assembly, and the at least one bearing comprises twobearings attached to the bearing support and the shaft.

The impact bracket assembly may have wherein the bearing is a flexurebearing assembly comprising a flexure plate configured to allow flexingof the flexure bearing assembly about a third axis perpendicular to thefirst axis.

The impact bracket assembly may have wherein the bearing is anarticulated bearing assembly comprising an articulating joint.

The impact bracket assembly may have wherein the impact bracket assemblycomprises a cradle that secures the solar module mounting structure tothe impact bracket assembly, and the cradle comprises a sight holearranged to allow sight of an end the solar module mounting structuresecured in the cradle.

According to an embodiment of the invention, there is an integratedbearing assembly comprising: an integrated bearing support comprising ametal plate folded to form at least one bearing support panel and atleast one side panel extending away from at least one bearing supportpanel; at least one bearing attached to the at least one bearing supportpanel of the integrated bearing support; a shaft extending through theat least one bearing; and a solar module mounting structure couplercoupled to the shaft.

The integrated bearing assembly may have wherein the at least onebearing comprises two bearings attached to the at least one bearingsupport panel of the integrated bearing support.

The integrated bearing assembly may have wherein the at least onebearing is plastic.

The integrated bearing assembly may have wherein the shaft extends alonga first axis, and the at least one bearing support panel comprisesbearing support slots arranged to allow the at least one bearing to movesuch that the shaft is rotated around a second axis perpendicular withthe first axis.

The integrated bearing assembly may have wherein: the at least onebearing comprises two bearings attached to the at least one bearingsupport panel of the integrated bearing support, and the bearing supportslots comprise four bearing support slots, with one of the two bearingsfastened to two of the four bearing support slots and another one of thetwo bearings fastened to another two of the four bearing support slots.

The integrated bearing assembly may have wherein the at least one sidepanel of the integrated bearing support comprises one or more adjustmentslots configured to tilt the integrated bearing assembly on afoundation.

The integrated bearing assembly may have wherein the at least one sidepanel in the integrated bearing support comprises two side panelsdisposed on opposing sides of the at least one bearing support panel.

The integrated bearing assembly may have wherein the at least one sidepanel in the integrated bearing support extends perpendicular to the atleast one bearing support panel.

The integrated bearing assembly may have wherein: the at least onebearing support panel comprises two bearing support panels, and the atleast one bearing comprises two bearings attached to the at least onebearing support panel of the integrated bearing support, the twobearings attached to respective ones of the two bearing support panels.

The integrated bearing assembly may be further comprising a first cradlecoupled to the shaft and configured to support an end of a solar modulemounting structure.

The integrated bearing assembly may be further comprising a cradle clampconfigured to secure the solar module mounting structure to the cradlewhile reducing harmonics transferred through the solar module mountingstructure.

The integrated bearing assembly may be further comprising fasteners anda retention hook each securing the cradle clamp to the first cradle.

The integrated bearing assembly may have wherein the cradle clampcomprises a sight hole configured to allow sight of an end of the solarmodule mounting structure secured in the first cradle.

The integrated bearing assembly may be further comprising a secondcradle coupled to the shaft and configured to support a solar modulemounting structure and disposed on an opposite side of shaft to thefirst cradle.

The integrated bearing assembly may have wherein the shaft extends alonga first axis, and the shaft is configured to flex along a second axisperpendicular with the first axis.

The integrated bearing assembly may be further comprising two cradlescoupled to and disposed on opposing sides of the shaft and eachconfigured to support a solar module mounting structure, wherein: the atleast one bearing comprises two bearings attached to the at least onebearing support panel of the integrated bearing support; the at leastone bearing support panel comprises two bearing support panels; theshaft extends along a first axis, and the two bearing support panelseach comprises bearing support slots arranged to allow the two bearingsto move such that the shaft is rotated around a second axis coplanar andnon-parallel with the first axis; the at least one side panel in theintegrated bearing support comprises two side panels disposed onopposing sides of the at least one bearing support panel and extendingperpendicular to the at least one bearing support panel.

According to an embodiment, there is a tracker comprising: at least oneintegrated bearing assembly each comprising: a foundation; an integratedbearing support mounted on the foundation and comprising a metal platefolded to form at least one bearing support panel and at least one sidepanel; at least one bearing attached to the metal plate; a shaftextending through the at least one bearing; at least one solar modulemounting structure coupler coupled to the shaft; and a solar modulemounting structure attached to the at least one solar module mountingstructure coupler.

The tracker may have wherein: the at least one solar module mountingstructure coupler comprises two solar module mounting structure couplerscoupled to and disposed on opposing sides of the shaft and eachconfigured to support a solar module mounting structure; the at leastone bearing comprises two bearings attached to the at least one bearingsupport panel of the integrated bearing support; the at least onebearing support panel comprises two bearing support panels; and the atleast one side panel in the integrated bearing support comprises twoside panels disposed on opposing sides of the at least one bearingsupport panel and extending perpendicular to the at least one bearingsupport panel.

The tracker may be further comprising a first solar module, wherein: theat least one integrated bearing assembly comprises a first integratedbearing assembly and a second integrated bearing assembly, the firstsolar module extends in a first direction and is coupled to and disposedbetween the first integrated bearing assembly and the second integratedbearing assembly, and the shaft of the second integrated bearingassembly extends in a second direction different from the firstdirection.

The tracker may be further comprising a second solar module coupled tothe second integrated bearing assembly opposite the first solar moduleand extending in the first direction.

According to an embodiment of the invention, there is a trackercomprising: a foundation; and a cantilevered beam support mounted on thefoundation, the cantilevered beam support comprising: a bearing assemblymounted on the foundation a cantilevered solar module mounting structurehaving a first end attached to the bearing assembly and an opposite endthat is unsupported; a solar module mounted on the cantilevered solarmodule mounting structure.

The tracker may have wherein the bearing assembly is configured forclockwise rotation around a first axis and counterclockwise rotationaround the first axis, and the cantilevered solar module mountingstructure is configured to rotate with the bearing assembly around thefirst axis.

The tracker may have wherein the cantilevered beam support furthercomprises an impact bracket assembly coupled to the bearing assembly andconfigured to contact the foundation to stop at least one of theclockwise rotation of the bearing assembly around the first axis at afirst maximum angle of rotation and the counterclockwise rotation of thebearing assembly around the first axis at a second maximum angle ofrotation.

The tracker may have wherein the impact bracket assembly is configuredto contact the foundation to stop the clockwise rotation of the bearingassembly around the first axis at a first maximum angle of rotation andto contact the foundation to stop the counterclockwise rotation of thebearing assembly around the first axis at a second maximum angle ofrotation.

The tracker may have wherein the bearing assembly is a straight bearingassembly comprising two bearings and a straight bearing shaft throughthe two bearings.

The tracker may have wherein the bearing assembly is an articulatingbearing assembly comprising an articulating joint.

The tracker may have wherein the bearing assembly is a flexure bearingassembly comprising a flexure plate configured to allow flexing of theflexure bearing assembly about a third axis perpendicular to the firstaxis.

The tracker may have wherein the bearing assembly comprises a bearingsupport panel, a shaft, and at least one bearing, the bearing supportpanel comprising bearing support slots arranged to allow the at leastone bearing to move such that the shaft is rotated around a second axiscoplanar and non-parallel with the first axis.

The tracker may have wherein the cantilevered solar module mountingstructure is a torque tube.

The tracker may have wherein the torque tube has a rectangularcross-section.

The tracker may have wherein the cantilevered beam support furthercomprises a module attachment bracket attaching the solar module to thetorque tube.

The tracker may have wherein the bearing assembly comprises a firstcradle supporting an end of the torque tube and a first clamp securingthe torque tube to the first cradle.

The tracker may have wherein the bearing assembly comprises a secondcradle and a second clamp on an opposite end of the bearing assembly tothe first cradle and the first clamp.

The tracker may be further comprising a second foundation and a secondsolar module mounting structure, the second solar module mountingstructure having a first end coupled to the bearing assembly and asecond end coupled to the second foundation.

The tracker may have wherein the second foundation and the foundationare a same height.

The tracker may have wherein the cantilevered beam support is one end ofthe tracker and the second foundation is an opposite end of the tracker.

The tracker may have wherein the solar module mounting structure has ashorter length then the second solar module mounting structure.

The tracker may have wherein the second solar module mounting structureis configured to mount eight or more solar modules and the solar modulemounting structure is configured to mount only one of the solar module.

The tracker may be further comprising a slew drive configured to driverotation of the cantilevered solar module mounting structure.

The tracker may have wherein the cantilevered solar module mountingstructure does not extend over the foundation.

According to an embodiment of the invention, there is an integratedbearing assembly comprising: an integrated bearing support comprising ametal plate folded to form a bearing support panel and two side panelson opposite sides of the bearing support panel each extending away fromthe bearing support panel in a same direction, the two side panels eachcomprising a pivot point that together define a pivot axis; a pivotingbearing support attached to each the two side panels at the pivot pointand configured to pivot around the pivot axis; a first bearing attachedto the bearing support panel; a second bearing attached to the pivotingbearing support; and a flexible joint coupling the first bearing and thesecond bearing.

The integrated bearing assembly may have wherein the first bearing andsecond bearing are plastic.

The integrated bearing assembly may have wherein a first portion of theintegrated bearing support comprising the first bearing is capable ofrotating about a first rotation axis and a second portion of theintegrated bearing support comprising the second bearing is capable ofrotating about a second rotation axis.

The integrated bearing assembly may have wherein the flexible joint isan articulating joint having a joint pivot point where the firstrotation axis and a second rotation axis intersect, and an orientationof the first rotation axis relative to the second rotation axis isvariable around the pivot point.

The integrated bearing assembly may have at least one of the bearingsupport panel and the pivoting bearing support comprises bearing supportslots arranged to allow at least one of the first bearing and the secondbearing to swivel about a swivel axis perpendicular to a plane of thebearing support panel.

The integrated bearing assembly may have wherein the bearing supportpanel and the pivoting bearing support each comprise the bearing supportslots.

The integrated bearing assembly may have wherein at least one of the twoside panels of the integrated bearing support comprises adjustment slotsconfigured to tilt the integrated bearing assembly on a foundation.

The integrated bearing assembly may have wherein the two side panels areeach perpendicular to the at least one bearing support panel.

The integrated bearing assembly may have wherein each of the firstbearing and the second bearing are secured to the flexible joint by abearing strap.

The integrated bearing assembly may be further comprising a first solarmodule mounting structure coupled to the flexible joint.

The integrated bearing assembly may be further comprising a second solarmodule mounting structure coupled to the flexible joint on an oppositeside to the first solar module mounting structure, wherein the firstsolar module mounting structure is arranged to pivot around the pivotaxis with the pivoting bearing support while the second solar modulemounting structure is arranged to not pivot around the pivot axis withthe pivoting bearing support.

The integrated bearing assembly may be further comprising a firstcoupler coupled to the flexible joint and configured to support an endof a first solar module mounting structure.

The integrated bearing assembly may be further comprising a cradle clampconfigured to secure the solar module mounting structure to the firstcoupler while reducing harmonics transferred through the solar modulemounting structure, wherein the first coupler is a cradle.

The integrated bearing assembly may have wherein the cradle clampcomprises a sight hole configured to allow sight of an end of the solarmodule mounting structure secured in the first cradle.

The integrated bearing assembly may be further comprising a secondcoupler coupled to the flexible joint on an opposite side of the firstcoupler and configured to support an end of a second solar modulemounting structure.

The integrated bearing assembly may have wherein: the articulating jointcomprises a first shaft along the first rotation axis and a second shaftalong the second rotation axis disposed on opposite sides of the jointpivot point; the first bearing is secured to the first shaft by a firstbearing strap and the second bearing is secured to the second shaft by asecond bearing shaft; the first shaft is attached to a first cradleconfigured to support an end of a first solar module mounting structure,and the second shaft is attached to a second cradle configured tosupport an end of a second solar module mounting structure; and thefirst shaft is arranged to pivot around the pivot axis with the pivotingbearing support while the second shaft is arranged on the bearingsupport panel so as to not pivot around the pivot axis with the pivotingbearing support.

According to an embodiment of the invention, there is a trackercomprising: a foundation; an integrated bearing assembly comprising: anintegrated bearing support comprising a metal plate folded to form abearing support panel and two side panels on opposite sides of thebearing support panel each extending away from the bearing support panelin a same direction, the two side panels each comprising a pivot pointthat together define a pivot axis; a pivoting bearing support attachedto each of the two side panels at the pivot point and configured topivot around the pivot axis; a flexible joint coupled to the pivotingbearing support; and at solar module mounting coupler coupled to theflexible joint; and a solar mounting module structure supported by thesolar module mounting coupler.

The tracker may have wherein the solar module mounting coupler is acradle and the solar mounting module structure is a torque tube with asquare cross section.

The tracker may have wherein: a first portion of the integrated bearingsupport is capable of rotating about a first rotation axis and a secondportion of the integrated bearing support is capable of rotating about asecond rotation axis; the flexible joint is an articulating joint havinga joint pivot point where the first rotation axis and a second rotationaxis intersect, and an orientation of the first rotation axis relativeto the second rotation axis is variable around the pivot point.

The tracker may be further comprising a first bearing attached to thebearing support panel and a second bearing attached to the pivotingbearing support.

According to an embodiment of the invention, there is a flexure assemblycomprising: a first mating plate and a second mating plate, the firstmating plate defining a first axis and the second mating plate defininga second axis different from the first axis; a flex plate attached toand disposed between the first mating plate and the second mating plate,the flex plate configured to flex around the first axis defined by thefirst mating plate and flex around the second axis defined by the secondmating plate; and a first bearing coupled to the first mating plate anda second bearing coupled to the second mating plate.

The flexure assembly may have wherein each of the first mating plate andthe second mating plate have a length that is a respectively longestside, the length of the first mating plate and the second mating platebeing perpendicular to each other.

The flexure assembly may have wherein the first mating plate and thesecond mating plate have a rectangular shape.

The flexure assembly may have wherein the flex plate is a differentshape than the first mating plate and the second mating plate.

The flexure assembly may have wherein the flex plate has an octagonshape.

The flexure assembly may have wherein the first mating plate is attachedto a first stub shaft and the second mating plate is attached to asecond stub shaft.

The flexure assembly may have wherein the first stub shaft isperpendicular to a plane of the first mating plate and the second stubshaft is perpendicular to a plane of the second mating plate.

The flexure assembly may have wherein the first bearing is attached tothe first stub shaft and the second bearing is attached to the secondstub shaft.

The flexure assembly may have wherein the first bearing and the secondbearing are plastic.

The flexure assembly may have wherein a first solar module mountingstructure coupler is attached to the first stub shaft and configured tosupport an end of a first solar module mounting structure, and a secondsolar module mounting structure coupler is attached to the second stubshaft and configured to support an end of a second solar module mountingstructure.

The flexure assembly may have wherein the first solar module mountingstructure coupler is a cradle and has a sight hole configured to allowsight of an end of the first solar module mounting structure supportedin the cradle.

The flexure assembly may be further comprising a first overload springbetween the first mating plate and the flex plate and a second overloadspring between the second mating plate and the flex plate.

The flexure assembly may be further comprising a third overload springbetween the first mating plate and the flex plate and a fourth overloadspring between the second mating plate and the flex plate.

The flexure assembly may be further comprising fasteners attaching thefirst and second mating plate to the flex plate, each of the fastenersattached to force distributing washers.

The flexure assembly may have wherein the flex plate and the first andsecond mating plate are disposed on a bearing support comprising: twobearing support panels; and two side panels.

The flexure assembly may have wherein the first mating plate is attachedto a first stub shaft and the second mating plate is attached to asecond stub shaft, the first stub shaft and the second stub shaft eachextend along a third axis, and the two bearing support panels comprisebearing support slots arranged to allow the first bearing and the secondbearing to move such that the first stub shaft and the second stub shaftare rotated around a fourth axis perpendicular with the second axis.

The flexure assembly may have wherein the two side panels of theintegrated bearing support comprise adjustment slots arranged to allowtilting the flexure bearing assembly on a foundation supporting thebearing support.

The flexure assembly may be further comprising a spacer between thefirst mating plate and the flex plate.

According to an embodiment of the invention, there is a trackercomprising: a foundation; a flexure assembly mounted on the foundationand comprising: a first solar module mounting structure coupler; a firstmating plate coupled to the first solar module mounting structurecoupler and defining a first axis, a second mating plate defining asecond axis different from the first axis; a flex plate disposed betweenand attached to the first mating plate and the second mating plate, theflex plate configured to flex around the first axis defined by the firstmating plate and flex around the second axis defined by the secondmating plate; and a first bearing coupled to the first mating plate anda second bearing coupled to the second mating plate, a first solarmodule mounting structure supported by the first solar module mountingstructure coupler.

The tracker may be further comprising a second cradle coupled to thesecond mating plate and a second torque tube supported by the secondcradle, wherein the first solar module mounting structure coupler is afirst cradle and the first solar module mounting structure is a firsttorque tube.

According to an embodiment of the invention, there is a bearing assemblycomprising: a shaft; one or more bearings in direct contact with theshaft and comprising a first bearing thrust surface; one or more bearingstraps securing the one or more bearing to the shaft; a first thrustsurface in direct contact with the first bearing thrust surface of theone or more bearings; wherein the one or more bearings and the one ormore bearing straps are configured to provide frictional load on theshaft to dampen natural harmonics transmitted through the shaft.

The bearing assembly may be further comprising a first solar modulemounting structure coupler comprising the first thrust surface andconfigured to support a first solar module mounting structure coupler.

The bearing assembly may be further comprising a second solar modulemounting structure coupler comprising a second thrust surface andconfigured to support a second solar module mounting structure, whereinthe one or more bearings comprises a second bearing thrust surface indirect contact with the second thrust surface.

The bearing assembly may have wherein the one or more bearings consistsof one bearing comprising one end comprising the first bearing thrustsurface and an opposite end comprising the second bearing thrustsurface, the one or more bearing straps consists of one bearing strap.

The bearing assembly may have wherein the one bearing is substantially asame length as the shaft.

The bearing assembly may have wherein one end of the shaft is attachedto the first solar module mounting structure coupler and an opposite endof the shaft is attached to the second solar module mounting structurecoupler.

The bearing assembly may be further comprising a bearing support with abearing support panel and side panels extending away from the bearingsupport panel, the bearing support panel supporting the one bearing.

The bearing assembly may have wherein the shaft extends along a firstaxis, and the bearing support panel comprises pivot slots arranged toallow the one bearing to move such that the shaft is rotated around asecond axis perpendicular to the first axis.

The bearing assembly may have wherein the shaft has equal diameterthroughout a length of the shaft.

The bearing assembly may have wherein the side panels of the bearingsupport comprise adjustment slots arranged to allow tilting the bearingassembly on a foundation supporting the bearing support.

The bearing assembly may have wherein the one or more bearing consistsof a first bearing and a second bearing, and the one or more bearingstraps consists of a first bearing strap securing the first bearing tothe shaft and a second bearing strap securing the second bearing to theshaft.

The bearing assembly may have wherein: the first bearing comprises thefirst bearing thrust surface and a second bearing thrust surface, thesecond bearing comprises a third bearing thrust surface and a fourthbearing thrust surface, and the shaft comprises the first thrustsurface, a second thrust surface in direct contact with the secondbearing thrust surface of the first bearing, a third thrust surface indirect contact with the third bearing thrust surface of the secondbearing, and a fourth thrust surface in direct contact with the fourthbearing thrust surface of the second bearing.

The bearing assembly may have wherein a middle portion of the shaft hasa larger diameter than portions of the shaft in direct contact with thefirst bearing or the second bearing.

The bearing assembly may be further comprising bearing support with twobearing support panels and side panels extending away from the twobearing support panels, the two bearing support panels supporting thefirst bearing and the second bearing.

The bearing assembly may have wherein the shaft extends along a firstaxis, and the two bearing support panels comprise pivot slots arrangedto allow the first bearing and the second bearing to move such that theshaft is rotated around a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.

The bearing assembly may be further comprising an articulating jointdisposed between the first bearing and the second bearing, and a secondshaft extending away from the articulating joint and through the secondbearing, wherein the shaft extends away from the articulating joint andthrough the first bearing,

The bearing assembly may be further comprising: a flexure devicecomprising: a flex plate, and two mating plates disposed with the flexplate between them, a second shaft extending away from the articulatingjoint and through the second bearing, wherein the shaft extends awayfrom the articulating joint and through the first bearing, and whereinthe flexure device is disposed between the first bearing and the secondbearing.

The bearing assembly may have wherein the one or more bearings isplastic.

According to an embodiment, there is a tracker comprising: a foundation;a bearing assembly mounted on the foundation and comprising: a shaft;one or more bearings coupled with the shaft and comprising a firstbearing thrust surface; one or more bearing straps securing the one ormore bearing to the shaft; a first thrust surface in direct contact withthe first bearing thrust surface of the one or more bearings; and afirst solar module mounting structure coupler coupled to the shaft, anda first solar module mounting structure supported.

According to an embodiment, there is a tracker comprising: a foundation;a flexure assembly mounted on the foundation and comprising: a firstsolar module mounting structure coupler; a first mating plate coupled tothe first solar module mounting structure coupler and defining a firstaxis, a second mating plate defining a second axis different from thefirst axis; a flex plate disposed between and attached to the firstmating plate and the second mating plate, the flex plate configured toflex around the first axis defined by the first mating plate and flexaround the second axis defined by the second mating plate; and a firstbearing coupled to the first mating plate and a second bearing coupledto the second mating plate, a first solar module mounting structuresupported by the first solar module mounting structure coupler.

The tracker may have wherein the one or more bearings and the one ormore bearing straps are configured to provide frictional load on theshaft to dampen natural harmonics transmitted through into the shaft viathe first solar module mounting structure.

According to an embodiment of the invention, there is an outboardflexure bearing assembly comprising: one or more bearings; a shaftextending through the one or more bearings and comprising a first endand a second end opposite the first end; a first flex plate attached tothe first end of the shaft; a second flex plate coupled to the firstflex plate; and a first solar module mounting structure coupler coupledto the second flex plate and coupled to the first end of the shaft.

The outboard flexure bearing assembly may have wherein the second flexplate is attached to the first solar module mounting structure coupler.The outboard flexure bearing assembly may have wherein the second flexplate is integral with the first solar module mounting structurecoupler.

The outboard flexure bearing assembly may have wherein the first solarmodule mounting structure coupler comprises a first back area and wingsextending out of opposing sides of the first back area, the second flexplate comprising the wings.

The outboard flexure bearing assembly may have wherein first flex platehas a rectangular shape.

The outboard flexure bearing assembly may have wherein the first flexplate and the second flex plate are not in direct contact.

The outboard flexure bearing assembly may have wherein the first flexplate and second flex plate are each configured to flex around a firstaxis between the first and second flex plate and parallel to a plane ofthe first flex plate.

The outboard flexure bearing assembly may have wherein the first flexplate and second flex plate are configured to flex around a second axisbetween the first and second flex plate, parallel to a plane of thefirst flex plate, and perpendicular to the first axis.

The outboard flexure bearing assembly may be further comprising a secondmodule mounting structure coupler coupled to the second end of theshaft.

The outboard flexure bearing assembly may be further comprising: a thirdflex plate attached to the second end of the shaft, and a fourth flexplate coupled to the third flex plate and the second module mountingstructure coupler.

The outboard flexure bearing assembly may be further comprising bearingstraps securing the one or more bearings to the shaft, wherein the oneor more bearings consist of two bearings.

The outboard flexure bearing assembly may be further comprising abearing support supporting the one or more bearings comprising at leastone bearing support panel and side panels extending from the at leastone bearing support panel.

The outboard flexure bearing assembly may have wherein the shaft extendsalong a first axis, the at least one bearing support panel comprisingpivot slots arranged to allow the one or more bearing to move such thatthe shaft is rotated around a second axis perpendicular to the firstaxis.

The outboard flexure bearing assembly may have wherein the side panelscomprise adjustment slots arranged to allow tilting the bearing assemblyon a foundation supporting the bearing support.

The outboard flexure bearing assembly may be further comprising a middleflex plate between the first flex plate and the third flex plate.

The outboard flexure bearing assembly may have wherein each of the firstflex plate and third flex plate have a length that is a respectivelylongest side, the length of the first flex plate and the second flexplate being perpendicular to each other.

The outboard flexure bearing assembly may have wherein the middle flexplate is an octagon.

According to an embodiment of the invention, there is a tracker: afoundation; an outboard flexure bearing assembly mounted on thefoundation and comprising: one or more bearings; a shaft extendingcomprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a firstflex plate coupled to the first end of the shaft; a second flex platecoupled to the first flex plate; and a first solar module mountingstructure coupler coupled to the second flex plate and coupled to thefirst end of the shaft; a first solar module mounting structuresupported by to the first solar module mounting structure coupler.

The tracker may be further comprising a second solar module mountingstructure coupler coupled to the second end of the shaft, and a secondsolar module mounting structure supported by the second module mountingstructure.

The tracker may have wherein the first and second solar module mountingstructure are torque tubes, the first and second solar module mountingstructure coupler comprise cradles and cradle clamps securing the torquetubes to the cradles.

According to an embodiment of the invention, there is a module clipcomprising: a upper portion; a lower portion disposed below the upperportion in a vertical direction, the lower portion and configured tosecure a solar module between with the upper portion; and a strapdisposed below the lower portion in the vertical direction andconfigured to secure the module clip to a solar module mountingstructure; one or more fasteners extending in the vertical direction andcoupling the upper portion to the lower portion to be spaced apart fromthe lower portion, and coupling the upper portion and the lower portionto the strap.

The module clip may have wherein the upper portion has a flat surfaceand is slanted at a non-perpendicular with the vertical direction, andthe lower portion has a flat surface and is slanted at anon-perpendicular with the vertical direction.

The module clip may have wherein the upper portion has two or more stepsand the lower portion has two or more steps.

The module clip may have wherein the upper portion has three steps andlower portion has three steps.

The module clip may have wherein: the three steps of the upper portioncomprise a highest step, a middle step, and a lowest step relative tothe vertical direction, the three steps of the lower portion comprise ahighest step, a middle step, and a lowest step relative to the verticaldirection, the one or more fasteners extends through the middle step ofthe upper portion and the middle step of the lower portion.

The module clip may have wherein the one or more fasteners consists oftwo fasteners.

The module clip may have wherein the one or more fasteners is in directcontact with the upper portion, the lower portion, and the strap.

The module clip may have wherein: the upper portion has a length that isa longest side extending in a first horizontal direction perpendicularto the vertical direction, the lower portion has a length that is alongest side extending in a first horizontal direction perpendicular tothe vertical direction, and the strap is configured to secure the moduleclip to the solar module mounting structure that extends in a secondhorizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction

The module clip may have wherein the length of the lower portion islonger than the length of the upper portion.

The module clip may have wherein the strap forms a square shape thelower portion.

According to an embodiment of the invention, there is a clipped solarmodule comprising: a solar module mounting structure extending in ahorizontal direction perpendicular to a vertical direction; a firstmodule clip attached to one end of the torque tube and a second moduleclip attached to an opposite end of the torque tube, each of the firstmodule clip and the second module clip comprising an upper portion, alower portion disposed below the upper portion in the verticaldirection, one or more module fasteners coupling the upper portion tothe lower portion, and a strap; and a solar module disposed above thetorque tube in a vertical direction and having one end secured to thefirst module clip and an opposite end secured to the second module clip.

The clipped solar module may have wherein the solar module is slanted anangle with the solar module mounting structure.

The clipped solar module may have wherein: the upper portion has ahigher part in the vertical direction and a lower part in the verticaldirection, the lower portion has a higher part in the vertical directionand a lower part in the vertical direction.

The clipped solar module may have wherein the higher part of the upperportion in both the first module clip and the second module clip arefacing in a same direction.

The clipped solar module may have wherein the solar module is secured tothe higher part of the upper portion and the lower portion of the firstmodule clip and the lower portion of the upper portion and the lowerportion of the second module clip.

The clipped solar module may have wherein the upper portion has a flatsurface and is slanted to be non-perpendicular to the verticaldirection, and the lower portion is slanted to be non-perpendicular tothe vertical direction.

The clipped solar module may have wherein the upper portion has two ormore steps and lower portion has two or more steps.

The clipped solar module may have wherein the solar module mountingstructure is a torque tube

The clipped solar module may have wherein the torque tube has across-section with a square shape.

According to an embodiment of the invention, there is a trackercomprising: a foundation; a bearing assembly mounted on the foundationand comprising a solar module mounting structure coupler; a solar modulemounting structure coupled to the solar module mounting structurecoupler; a first module clip attached to one end of the solar modulemounting structure and a second module clip attached to an opposite endof the solar module mounting structure, each of the first module clipand the second module clip comprising an upper portion and a lowerportion disposed below the upper portion; and a solar module disposedover the solar module mounting structure and having one end secured tothe first module clip and an opposite end secured to the second moduleclip.

These and other embodiments, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art whentaken with reference to the following more detailed description of theinvention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that are firstbriefly described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an example of an all-terrain solar tracker arranged onsloped and rolling terrain with angle changes along its length to followthe natural terrain.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a mechanical stop assembly integrated with astraight bearing assembly. The mechanical stop assembly has two impactbrackets that will contact the foundation at a certain tilt angle toresist further rotation of the tracker.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a perspective view and a plan view of an example ofa mechanical stop assembly integrated with a straight bearing assembly.The mechanical stop assembly has one impact bracket that will contactthe foundation at a certain tilt angle to resist further rotation of thetracker.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a straight bearing assembly with twocradles and cradle clamps. The straight bearing assembly has a mountingstructure that integrates both sides of the assembly with the twobearing supports.

FIG. 5 shows a row-end cantilevered beam module support. This exampleshows the cantilevered beam bolted on to a mechanical stop assembly.Other bearing designs may be used to support the cantilevered beamassembly.

FIG. 6 shows an integrated articulated bearing assembly. Both sidesupports are integrated with one bearing support while the other bearingsupport is a separate piece that can swivel independently. The swivelingbearing support includes radius arms for positioning with relation tothe structure and the flexible shaft, and are pivoted about a portion ofthe sides that rise up higher than the integrated bearing support toprovide an axis about which to pivot.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C show a perspective view, an exploded view, and aside section of a center flex plate bearing assembly.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C show a perspective view, an exploded view, and aside section of the bearing assembly that includes thrust bearingsurfaces and a device for frictional damping.

FIG. 9 is an alternative variation of the example of FIGS. 8A-8C andshows a bearing assembly that includes thrust bearing surfaces as partof the shaft itself rather than as part of the cradles.

FIG. 10 is an alternative variation of the example of FIGS. 7A-7C andshows two flex plates outboard of the bearing assembly. This variationmay also be modified to only include one flex plate outboard of thebearing assembly.

FIGS. 11A-11B is an alternative variation of the example of FIG. 10,without a middle flex plate in the outboard flexures of the bearingassembly.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show an exploded view and a side view of a steppedmodule clip assembly.

FIG. 13 is an alternative variation of the example of FIGS. 12A-12B, andshows a side view of a module clip assembly that does not have steps.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description should be read with reference to thedrawings, in which identical reference numbers refer to like elementsthroughout the different figures. The drawings, which are notnecessarily to scale, depict selective embodiments and are not intendedto limit the scope of the invention. The detailed descriptionillustrates by way of example, not by way of limitation, the principlesof the invention. This description will clearly enable one skilled inthe art to make and use the invention, and describes severalembodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of theinvention.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the contextclearly indicates otherwise. Also, the term “parallel” is intended tomean “substantially parallel” and to encompass minor deviations fromparallel geometries. The term “vertical” refers to a direction parallelto the force of the earth's gravity. The term “horizontal” refers to adirection perpendicular to “vertical”.

FIG. 1 shows an example all-terrain solar tracker arranged on varyingterrain with angle changes along its length to follow the naturalterrain. This tracker employs examples of many of the componentsdescribed above in the summary and described in more detail below. Thesecomponents include a cantilevered beam supporting a “plus one module” atone end of the tracker row, articulated bearings supporting significantchanges in angular orientation between adjacent segments of the torquetube, flexure bearings supporting smaller changes in angular orientationbetween adjacent segments of the torque tube without requiring anarticulated bearing, straight through bearings, mechanical stopslimiting rotation of the tracker, and a row end bearing. The tracker inaddition includes a slew drive configured to drive rotation of thetorque tube around its long axes. Although the example of FIG. 1 andother figures shows a particular arrangement of certain components,other variations may employ any suitable combination and arrangement ofthe components described in this disclosure. Some elements illustratedin certain figures may be unlabelled in those figures and only belabelled in other figures, for convenience and clarity of illustrationand to avoid repetition.

Instead of or in addition to torque tubes, any other solar modulemounting structures may be used in the trackers and/or devices describedin this specification. These solar module mounting structures may be orcomprise z-purlins, spaceframes, and other like structures.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a mechanical stop for a single-axis trackerthat incorporates two torque tube cradles 100, one integrated straightbearing assembly 101, two impact brackets 102 on one impact bracketassembly 105, one foundation 103, and one torque tube 104. Torque tubesmay be inserted into the cradles on either side of the mechanical stopassembly, and one or the other cradle may be left off if the trackerdoes not continue in that direction. Torque tubes may be tubes having across-section of four or more flat sides, such as a rectangle, square,pentagon, hexagon, and octagon, for example. Torque tubes may have crosssections that are round instead of having flat sides, such as circles orovals. As mentioned above, since other solar module mounting structuresmay be used instead of torque tubes, the torque tube cradle may be anyattachment structure capable of securing solar modules other than torquetubes specifically. Solar modules may be mounted on the one or moretorque tubes and rotated. A mechanical stop assembly may be mounted ontoan integrated straight bearing assembly, or other type of bearingassembly (e.g., compact straight bearing assembly, a flexure bearingassembly, articulated bearing assembly, etc.), or provided as a separateand standalone assembly. At some angle, the impact bracket may contactan impact surface structure resulting in a physical blockage to furtherrotation of the torque tube. The impact surface structure may be thepost of the foundation itself or a horizontal bar on the foundation thatcontacts the impact bracket assembly. The impact bracket assembly mighthave two parallel plates extending outward without an impact bracketbetween them so that the plates contact a bar on the foundation, or theplates may include the impact bracket extending between them to contactthe foundation to result in the physical blockage. This physicalblockage allows rotational loads applied to the torque tube to beresisted at this foundation when tilted to an angle that contact ismade. Zero, one, or more mechanical stop assemblies may be incorporatedin a tracker row to provide zero, one, or more physical blockages torotation. If one mechanical stop assembly contacts a foundation beforeone or more other mechanical stop assemblies contact the foundation,then the one or more other mechanical stop assemblies may still contactthe foundation in wind conditions that create sufficient flexing in thetorque tube and bearing assemblies in the rest of the tracker system toallow the non-contacting mechanical stops to come into contact withtheir respective foundation. The mechanical stop assembly illustrated inFIG. 2 has two sides to stop both of a clockwise rotation of the bearingassembly 101 at a first maximum angle of rotation and stop acounterclockwise rotation of the bearing assembly 101 at a secondmaximum angle of rotation.

FIGS. 3A and 3B shows a mechanical stop assembly with an impact bracket102 on only one side of the bearing assembly 101 (rather than the twoillustrated in FIG. 2), to stop only one of clockwise orcounterclockwise rotation of the bearing assembly 101 at a first maximumangle of rotation. Also illustrated in this figure are two plates 144.The two plates 144 are parallel to each other and have the impact bar140 between them and perpendicular to their direction of extension. Thetwo plates 144 are attached at an attachment region to the bearingassembly. They can be removed from the bearing assembly and/or mountedat the opposing side of the bearing assembly. The two plates may have ahole 148 that either accommodates cables or accommodates hooks thatsupports cables in the tracker.

The bearing assembly may comprise a bearing support having bearingsupport slots 152 that allow pivoting and/or rotation of the bearingabout an axis perpendicular to the bearing, e.g. an axis parallel to thelong axis of the foundation. For example, the bearing support slots 152may allow East-West rotation.

FIG. 4 shows an integrated straight bearing assembly. The integratedbearing assembly includes coupling devices that are typically used onsingle-axis trackers between foundations to connect the ends of torquetubes together. However, in this application, the coupling devices areintegrated to the integrated straight bearing assembly cradles 100. Inthis application, the cradles 100 are fastened to the straight bearingshaft, which is supported by bearings 117 and restrained by bearingstraps 116. There may be one or more bearings 117, e.g., two, and theymay be plastic or any other material. The cradles 100 may allow couplingof the integrated bearing assembly with any type of solar modulemounting structure, e.g., a torque tube. An integrated bearing assemblymay have only one cradle 100 instead of two cradles disposed on oppositesides of the straight bearing shaft. Bearing support slots 152 in thetop panel(s) of the integrated bearing assembly may be fastened to thebearings in a way that allows the bearings to swivel. For example, ifthe straight bearing shaft extends along a first axis, the bearingsupport slots may allow the bearings to move or swivel in a way that thestraight bearing shaft pivots around a second axis coplanar with andnon-parallel with the first axis, e.g., perpendicular with the firstaxis. For example, a solar tracker may have a first and second bearingassembly spaced apart from each other, with a first solar panel modulein between them supported by a torque tube, and a second solar panelmodule extending on the opposite side of the second bearing assemblyfrom the first solar panel module. In this example, the first solarpanel module extends in a first direction and the second bearingassembly can extend in a second direction due to the swiveling allowedby the bearing support slots. The second solar panel module fastened tothe second bearing assembly can extend in the first direction, in thesecond direction, or a third direction different from the first andsecond direction.

Adjustment slot 120 allows the integrated straight bearing assembly totilt on top of a foundation to best accommodate the incoming andoutgoing angles of the torque tubes supported by the cradles 100 oneither end of the integrated straight bearing assembly. Each side panelmay have any number of adjustment slots 120, e.g., two for each side,for a total of four. The adjustment slots may be any shape, such as thelong slit with rounded corners illustrated, or circles or rectangles.The adjustment slots on each side panel may be horizontally disposedfrom each other as depicted, or may be vertically disposed from eachother on the same side panel. For example, one side panel may have acircle adjustment slot vertically disposed over a long slit with roundedcorners. Alternate methods could be imagined where the cradle iscontinuous along the top of the integrated straight bearing assemblywith bearings and bearing straps designed to support the profile of thecradle 100, to further eliminate components in the design.

FIG. 4 shows an integrated straight bearing assembly with cradles 100 oneither end. In this configuration a cradle clamp 106 is installed oneach cradle assembly and captured by a retention hook 107 and twofasteners 108. A torque tube 104, as shown in FIG. 2, can be droppedinto the cradles in FIG. 3 so that one end of the torque tube issupported by the cradle 100. A cradle clamp 106 can then be installed tosecure the torque tube within the cradle so that it cannot come free bylifting, sliding, or falling out of the vertical opening. Other optionsmay be used to secure the cradle clamp 106 and other cradle clampdesigns may be used. The other end of the torque tube may then besupported by a cradle on a succeeding or preceding bearing assembly, orother mounting option. Various bearing assemblies may be used includingarticulating or flexure bearing assemblies. One or more sight holes 109may be incorporated in the side of the cradle to allow visualverification of the location of the torque tube. The sight hole may alsobe located on other parts of the bearing assembly as deemed fit forvisual verification of the location of the torque tube within thecradle. Alternatively, the shaft may be directly welded to and integralwith the cradle, with part of the shaft protruding through the back ofthe cradle, such that no retention hook 107 and fasteners 108 areneeded. The shaft protruding from the back of the cradle may space apartthe torque tube inserted in the cradle from a vertically extending backcorner of the cradle, preventing the torque tube from being crushed bythe back corner. In other words, the protruding shaft acts as a spacerfor the torque tube.

In the example of FIG. 4, both sides 110 of the integrated bearingassembly and both bearing supports 111 are integrated into one singlepiece of bent metal plate as opposed to being individual and separatecomponents held together by fasteners, welding, or other joiningprocesses. The metal plate may be bent to have two bearing supportpanels and two side panels extending perpendicular from the two bearingsupport panels and disposed on opposite sides of the two bearing supportpanels from each other. One bearing may be disposed on each of the twobearing support panels. Alternatively, the metal plate may have only onebearing support panel and one side panel, or two bearing support panelsand one side panel. This assembly has multiple components that canprovide flexure and movement to allow the angles of incoming andoutgoing torque tubes to differ from each other. The body of the cradle100 can be designed to flex, as can the cradle clamp 106. Further, thestraight bearing shaft 112 can be designed to flex, as can the bearingsupports 111 and the side of the integrated bearing assembly 110. Forexample, if the straight bearing shaft 112 extends along a first axis,the straight bearing shaft 112 can flex about one or multiple axescoplanar and non-parallel with the first axis, e.g., perpendicular withthe first axis. The curved slots in the bearing support 111 allow thebearing 117 to rotate around the center of the integrated bearingassembly to accommodate misalignment of the foundation that theintegrated bearing assembly is fastened to and the incoming and outgoingtorque tubes that are supported by the cradles 100. The bearing 117 maybe plastic, or any other suitable material. Movement of a torque tube inthe cradle 100 can be designed into the cradle through a variety ofmethods including tighter fit on the top of the cradle than the bottom,or vice versa, through play allowed in the vertical direction, throughsliding allowed in the axial direction, and through play allowed in thehorizontal direction. This play allows the torque tubes to move inrelation to the cradle 100 and cradle clamp 106 to accommodate differingincoming and outgoing angles of the torque tube. This play also allowsnatural attenuation of harmonics being transferred through the structuresuch as with oscillations brought on by blowing wind that causes thestructure to shake. A bearing assembly that appears to be rigid can nowallow slope changes purely through designing flexibility and play intothe design.

FIG. 5 shows a cantilevered beam module support 114 to be used at theend of a tracker row to add one or more modules 113 without the need foran additional foundation 103 and bearing assembly 101, particularly whenonly one or very few solar modules needs to be added to the end of thetracker. The cantilevered beam module support 114 comprises a shortsection of torque tube with a square plate attached to the end that isthen attached to the bearing assembly 101. In this application, astraight bearing assembly 101 with an impact bracket assembly 105 isshown, but other bearing assemblies may also be used such as, but notlimited to, straight bearing assembly, articulating bearing assembly,and flexure bearing assembly. Additionally, the impact bracket assembly105 may have only one impact bracket 102 on one side as described above,rather than the two as illustrated.

The torque tube used at the end of the tracker at the cantilevered beammodule support 114 may be shorter than torque tubes used in the rest ofthe tracker, such as 1/8th or less the length of other torque tubes. Ifso, the torque tube at the end supports only one solar module ratherthan, for example, eight solar modules per torque tube.

FIG. 6 shows an integrated articulated bearing comprising one bracketwith two sides 110 integrated with a bearing support 111, a pivotingbearing support 118, two cradles 100, two cradle clamps 106, anarticulating joint assembly 119, two bearings 117, and two bearingstraps 116. Adjustment slots 120 in the two sides 110 allow theintegrated bearing support to tilt on the foundation to achieve theangle of the torque tube that will be clamped in the cradle 100 on thatside of the integrated articulated bearing. The pivoting bearing support118 on the other side can still articulate by pivoting around the pivotpoint 121 that is coincident with the center of the articulating jointto allow a change in the incoming and outgoing angles in the verticaldirection. The bearing support slots 152 on top of both the integrated111 and pivoting bearing support 118 allow the articulated joint to beinstalled at an angle to the integrated bearing assembly and to allow achange in incoming and outgoing angle in the plane of the torque tubessupported by either cradle 100. Both torque tube cradles 100, and theflexibility built into the rest of the bearing assembly, can allowfurther articulation to accommodate differences in incoming and outgoingangles of the associated torque tubes through flexure of the componentsor gaps between the torque tubes and the cradles 100.

The angle θ between rotation axes of the torque tubes may be, forexample, ≥0 degrees, ≥5 degrees, ≥10 degrees, ≥15 degrees, ≥20 degrees,≥25 degrees, ≥30 degrees, ≥35 degrees, ≥40 degrees, ≥45 degrees, ≥50degrees, ≥55 degrees, ≥60 degrees, ≥65 degrees, ≥70 degrees, ≥75degrees, ≥80 degrees, ≥85 degrees, or up to 90 degrees. The anglebetween a rotation axis of a torque tube and the horizontal may be, forexample, ≥0 degrees, ≥5 degrees, ≥10 degrees, ≥15 degrees, ≥20 degrees,≥25 degrees, ≥30 degrees, ≥35 degrees, ≥40 degrees, ≥45 degrees, ≥50degrees, ≥55 degrees, ≥60 degrees, ≥65 degrees, ≥70 degrees, >75degrees, ≥80 degrees, ≥85 degrees, or up to 90 degrees. These examplesrefer to the magnitude of the angle between the rotation axes. Theangles may be positive or negative with respect to the horizontal. Theserotation axes may intersect at the articulating joint.

FIG. 7A, 7B, and 7C show a flexure bearing assembly that uses a flexplate 122 in the center of the assembly to allow differing incoming andoutgoing angles for the torque tubes supported by the cradles 100. Astub shaft 123 with a mating plate 124 is used to attach the cradle 100to the flex plate 122. The stub shaft 123 may have a square plate weldedand/or fastened to the cradle. Alternatively, the stub shaft 123 may bedirectly welded to the cradle without the square plate in between. Thestub shaft 123 may protrude out the back of the cradle to space thetorque tube inserted in the cradle from the curved corner of the cradle,and prevent crushing or cracking of the torque tube by the curvedcorner. Each of the associated components can provide flexure to allowchanges in the incoming and outgoing angles of the torque tubessupported by the cradles 100. In this method, the unconstrained bearingsupports 125 are not located with respect to the center of the flexureplate, but could be with the addition of a pivot point 121 feature asshown in FIG. 6. The mating plate 124 may incorporate various featuresto reduce stress points along its surface such as radiused contactplates, overload springs 133, force distributing washers for thefasteners, a combination of these items, and other items obvious to oneskilled in the art of material stress analysis, reduction, andoptimization. For example, the overload spring 133 may prevent abolthead from cracking the flex plate 122. Additionally, a spacer 154may help the mating plate contact the flex plate 122. The spacer 154 mayhave its corners that are in contact with the flex plate 122 grindeddown into a taper or rounded corner so that the edges contacting theflex plate 122 don't crack the flex plate 122. Alternatively, the matingplate may be bent to contact the flex plate (with similar rounded edges)without a spacer 154 in between. This design may also include anintegrated bearing assembly as shown in FIG. 5 on one side of thebearing assembly to reduce the overall cost and complexity of theproduct.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C show a compact bearing assembly with integratedthrust bearing and frictional damping. The bearing shaft 128 may beintegral with the cradles, and welded to the back of the cradles toprotrude out of the cradle back with a protrusion 160 that spaces thetorque tubes from the curved corners of the cradle. A cross section ofthe bearing shaft 128 may be circular. The shaft 128 may have a samediameter throughout its entirety. A bearing strap 116 may strap thebearing shaft 128 to the bearing 117 and the bearing support below withthe aid of fasteners, for example four fasteners with two fasteners oneach side. The bearing strap 116 and bearing 117 may both overlap andextend in both directions from the vertical center of the bearing shaft128. The bearing 117 may be longer than the bearing strap 116 and extendup to the or substantially up to the entire length of the bearing shaft128. The bearing strap 116 itself may be longer than half of the bearingshaft 128. The compact bearing assembly may have only one bearing 117 aswell as only one bearing strap 116. The bearing 117 has two or morebearing thrust surfaces 126 that each directly contacts one the cradlethrust surface 158 of opposing cradles 100 to provide frictional load onthe bearing shaft 128 that can dampen dynamic responses arising in thetracker during operation such as during wind events. The bearing thrustsurfaces 126 may be on opposing sides of the bearing 117, may be planar,and may have a non-rectangular shape. The cradle thrust surface 158 maybe planar and may have a rectangular or square shape, and the bearingshaft 128 may be disposed through the center of the cradle thrustsurface 158 to protrude out of the other side. The cradle thrust surface158 may have edges in contact with curved corners of the cradle 100. Thefrictional load may be achieved by the bearing strap 116 and/or thebearing 117 directly contacting the shaft 128 and transferring the forcefrom the cradle thrust surface 158.

FIG. 9 shows a bearing assembly with integrated thrust bearing andfrictional damping, including two bearings instead of just one. Theplastic bearing 117 can provide a thrust surface 126 against which theshaft thrust surface 127, or face of a cradle 100 as shown in FIG. 3,can contact to maintain the position of the bearing shaft 128 in thecenter of the bearing. Other methods may use an articulating joint,flexure device, or other device, instead of a bearing shaft 128. Inaddition, the plastic bearing 117 and the bearing strap 116 can providefrictional load on the bearing shaft 128 that can be useful for dampingdynamic responses that may arise in the tracker during operation such asduring wind events. The bearing shaft 128 may have square plates betweenit and the cradles rather than being directly welded onto the cradlesitself. The bearing shaft here may be smaller diameter than the oneshown in FIGS. 8A-8C, and may have a varying diameter, where thediameter is smaller at the thrust surfaces than, for example, at thevertical center of the bearing shaft or in the regions closest to thecradles.

FIG. 10 shows a flexure bearing with the flexure plates 122 locatedoutboard of the plastic bearings 117 and bearing straps 116. A matingplate 124 can be installed on one or both ends of the bearing shaft 128to allow the cradles 100 to flex to accommodate differing incoming andoutgoing angles of the torque tubes supported by the cradles 100. Thelongest dimension of the mating plate 124 may be perpendicular to thelongest dimension of the cradle back. A flex plate 122 is between themating plate 124 and the cradle 100 to allow differing incoming andoutgoing angles for the torque tubes supported by the cradles 100. Theflex plate 122 may be octagonal. An overload spring may also be incontact with the flex plate 122 to prevent cracking caused by boltheads.A spacer 154 may help the mating plate contact the flex plate 122.

FIGS. 11A and 11B show a flexure bearing with mating plates 124 locatedoutboard of the plastic bearings 117 and bearing straps 116. In thisembodiment the two mating p124 do not have a flex plate in between. Evenso, they have flexibility to allow differing incoming and outgoingangles for the torque tubes supported by the cradles 100. For example,they can flex around two perpendicular axes that sit within a plane inbetween them (e.g., in the midpoint between them), the normal of theplane being the same direction that the bearing shaft 128 extends along.The mating plates 124 are not illustrated here in direct contact witheach other, being in direct contact with spacers 123 between them.Alternatively, they may have bent edges so that they are in directcontact with each other. One of the mating plates 124 may be in directcontact with or integral with the bearing shaft 128. The other of themating plates 124 may be in direct contact with or welded and integralwith the cradle 100. For example, it may extend from the rectangularback of the cradle 100 to form wings. The two mating plates 124 here mayhave their longest dimensions extending in the same direction and/orhave their overall shapes to be matching with each other in orientation.Each of the mating plates 124 may be rectangular or non-rectangular. Ofcourse, the devices shown in FIGS. 10 and 11A-11B may use a compactbearing assembly as shown in FIGS. 8A-8C rather than a bearing assemblyhaving two bearings.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show a stepped module clip. A module clip clamps asolar module 113 to a torque tube 104. The stepped module clip maycomprise an upper stepped module clip 129, a lower stepped module clip130, a tube strap 131, and module clip fasteners 132. Both the lower andupper stepped module clips have multiple levels on which the edge of themodule can be placed, for example, two or more steps, e.g., three stepseach. Using the upper edge of a lower module clip on one side of a solarmodule, and the lower edge of another module clip on the other side of asolar module, will result in the solar module being installed in anon-parallel manner with the torque tube. They may be installed on thetorque tube facing the same direction, with the solar module beingclipped at one end on one side of the module clip and clipped on theother end of the at the opposing side of the module clip. Because themodule clip is asymmetric and facing the same side this results in thenon-parallel orientation of the solar module. The upper stepped moduleclip 129 and lower stepped module clip 130 may have a length on theirlongest sides in a direction perpendicular to the torque tube andparallel to longest side of the solar module. The upper stepped moduleclip 129 may be shorter than the lower stepped module clip 130, or theymay have the same length. The stepped module clip may comprise one, two,or more fasteners fastening the upper stepped module clip 129 to thelower stepped module clip 130, and fastening both to the tube strap 131which secures the module clip to the torque tube. The tube strap 131 mayhave a rectangular or square shape.

As FIG. 13 shows, in an embodiment the module clip may have smooth orflat surfaces on all sides and have no steps. The angled upper portion168 and lower portion 172 still allows the clipping of solar module tobe non-parallel to the torque tube.

This disclosure is illustrative and not limiting. Further modificationswill be apparent to one skilled in the art in light of this disclosureand are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tracker comprising: a foundation; and acantilevered beam support mounted on the foundation, the cantileveredbeam support comprising: a bearing assembly mounted on the foundation; acantilevered solar module mounting structure having a first end attachedto the bearing assembly and an opposite end that is unsupported; a solarmodule mounted on the cantilevered solar module mounting structure. 2.The tracker of claim 1, wherein the bearing assembly is configured forclockwise rotation around a first axis and counterclockwise rotationaround the first axis, and the cantilevered solar module mountingstructure is configured to rotate with the bearing assembly around thefirst axis.
 3. The tracker of claim 2, wherein the cantilevered beamsupport further comprises an impact bracket assembly coupled to thebearing assembly and configured to contact the foundation to stop atleast one of the clockwise rotation of the bearing assembly around thefirst axis at a first maximum angle of rotation and the counterclockwiserotation of the bearing assembly around the first axis at a secondmaximum angle of rotation.
 4. The tracker of claim 3, wherein the impactbracket assembly is configured to contact the foundation to stop theclockwise rotation of the bearing assembly around the first axis at afirst maximum angle of rotation and to contact the foundation to stopthe counterclockwise rotation of the bearing assembly around the firstaxis at a second maximum angle of rotation.
 5. The tracker of claim 1,wherein the bearing assembly is a straight bearing assembly comprisingtwo bearings and a straight bearing shaft through the two bearings. 6.The tracker of claim 1, wherein the bearing assembly is an articulatingbearing assembly comprising an articulating joint.
 7. The tracker ofclaim 2, wherein the bearing assembly is a flexure bearing assemblycomprising a flexure plate configured to allow flexing of the flexurebearing assembly about a third axis perpendicular to the first axis. 8.The tracker of claim 2, wherein the bearing assembly comprises a bearingsupport panel, a shaft, and at least one bearing, the bearing supportpanel comprising bearing support slots arranged to allow the at leastone bearing to move such that the shaft is rotated around a second axiscoplanar and non-parallel with the first axis.
 9. The tracker of claim1, wherein the cantilevered solar module mounting structure is a torquetube.
 10. The tracker of claim 9, wherein the torque tube has arectangular cross-section.
 11. The tracker of claim 10, wherein thecantilevered beam support further comprises a module attachment bracketattaching the solar module to the torque tube.
 12. The tracker of claim10, wherein the bearing assembly comprises a first cradle supporting anend of the torque tube and a first clamp securing the torque tube to thefirst cradle.
 13. The tracker of claim 12, wherein the bearing assemblycomprises a second cradle and a second clamp on an opposite end of thebearing assembly to the first cradle and the first clamp.
 14. Thetracker of claim 1, further comprising a second foundation and a secondsolar module mounting structure, the second solar module mountingstructure having a first end coupled to the bearing assembly and asecond end coupled to the second foundation.
 15. The tracker of claim14, wherein the second foundation and the foundation are a same height.16. The tracker of claim 14, wherein the cantilevered beam support isone end of the tracker and the second foundation is an opposite end ofthe tracker.
 17. The tracker of claim 14, wherein the solar modulemounting structure has a shorter length then the second solar modulemounting structure.
 18. The tracker of claim 19, wherein the secondsolar module mounting structure is configured to mount eight or moresolar modules and the solar module mounting structure is configured tomount only one of the solar module.
 19. The tracker of claim 11, furthercomprising a slew drive configured to drive rotation of the cantileveredsolar module mounting structure.
 20. The tracker of claim 1, wherein thecantilevered solar module mounting structure does not extend over thefoundation.